Leigh wanted to pursue a new career path to help support his family. With a wife and child at home, he was motivated to secure reliable, full-time employment that would allow him to regain financial self‑sufficiency and provide for his family.
To support this transition, Leigh enrolled in the Drive for 5 program through Leading CareerForce Partner Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) and set a clear goal of obtaining a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). He completed CDL training through Central Minnesota Trucking Academy in Royalton, demonstrating strong work ethic and commitment throughout the program. His efforts paid off when he successfully passed his CDL exam on the first attempt.
As he progressed toward his goals, Leigh consistently met program benchmarks and earned milestone payments for key achievements, including completing training, earning his CDL credential, and securing employment at or above the program’s wage requirement. These milestones recognized his progress and helped support him as he moved closer to long-term employment.
In addition to his training, Leigh actively engaged in job search efforts and utilized supportive services available through the program. His persistence and preparation led to full-time employment as a cement truck driver.
CDL drivers are in high demand in Northwest Minnesota and are expected to remain in high demand for the coming decade. They are in the top 10 highest demand of all occupations in the region and also boast the second highest wage of any top 10 demand occupation in the Northwest Region, second only to registered nurses.
Drive for 5 is a program through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development that helps people prepare for and find work in in-demand fields: the caring professions, education, manufacturing, technology and the trades.
Today, Leigh is on a sustainable career path that provides consistent income and stability for his family. His success reflects the impact of hard work, clear goals, and effective use of workforce development resources to achieve lasting employment.
